Rocky Mount, N.C. - N.C. Wesleyan's baseball team opened the 2016 season on Saturday afternoon with a two-game sweep of Lynchburg College at Bauer Field. In the opener, Wesleyan got a complete-game, four-hit shutout from junior Ryan Grant.

Grant's teammates produced more than enough offense in game one. The Bishops plated eight runs on 12 hits, with freshman Trey Croom going 3-for-4 with three RBIs in his collegiate debut. James Lovett and Dillon Moore ripped two hits apiece, while fellow senior Ciro Norzagaray also notched a pair of sac-fly RBIs in the 8-0 win.

Game two proved to more of a pitcher's dual as NCWC's T.J. Wilkie and LC's David Goulding went head-to-head.  Wilkie struck out four of the first six batters he faced, and the junior did not allow a baserunner until the third inning when the Hornets' Griffin Wild walked and eventually came around to score.

Lynchburg's lead was shortlived as the Bishops answered in their half of the frame. Junior Luis Palencia drew a one-out walk, stole second and third, then was brought home by a Lovett sac-fly. In the fourth, Croom ripped a lead-off double and later scored on a Marcus Anderson sac-fly of his own. Wesleyan would make the lead stand up en route to a 2-1 victory.

Wilkie earned the win on the mound, while Norzagaray pitched a scoreless 1 1/3 innings to notch his first save of the season.

Wesleyan continues play next Saturday and Sunday at home with a three-game set with City College of New York. Saturday's twinbill is slated for 11:00am.